GB2560852A

GB2560852A - Improvements to folding furniture

Info

Publication number: GB2560852A
Application number: GB1810584.1A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Mellis Adrian; John Payne Richard; Abercrombie Alexander
Original assignee: Spaceright Europe Ltd
Current assignee: Spaceright Europe Ltd
Priority date: 2018-06-28
Filing date: 2018-06-28
Publication date: 2018-09-26
Anticipated expiration: 2038-06-28
Also published as: GB2560852B; GB201810584D0

Abstract

A locating plate for connecting components of an item of folding furniture comprising an elongate body 2, a raised portion 18 which projects form the body to define a recess beneath it and includes an aperture 22 to allow a fixture to extend into the recess, a circular channel 16 in the body and a plurality of locating apertures 8 to receive fixtures. The channel 16 may be surrounded by a cylindrical projection and there may be groups of apertures 10 to assist in mounting the device in the correct position. The locating plate may be used on a table, desk, chair or bench and be combined with a locking mechanism. The locking mechanism may have first and second elongate struts whose ends are attached and can rotate. A locking ring may slide over overlapping parts of the struts to prevent rotation.

Description

(54) Title of the Invention: Improvements to folding furniture Abstract Title: An attachment plate for a folding table (57) A locating plate for connecting components of an item of folding furniture comprising an elongate body 2, a raised portion 18 which projects form the body to define a recess beneath it and includes an aperture 22 to allow a fixture to extend into the recess, a circular channel 16 in the body and a plurality of locating apertures 8 to receive fixtures. The channel 16 may be surrounded by a cylindrical projection and there may be groups of apertures 10 to assist in mounting the device in the correct position. The locating plate may be used on a table, desk, chair or bench and be combined with a locking mechanism. The locking mechanism may have first and second elongate struts whose ends are attached and can rotate. A locking ring may slide over overlapping parts of the struts to prevent rotation.

FIG. 1

At least one drawing originally filed was informal and the print reproduced here is taken from a later filed formal copy.

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1408 18

FIG. 1

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1408 18

FIG. 2

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1408 18

FIG. 3

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1408 18

FIG. 4

IMPROVEMENTS TO FOLDING FURNITURE

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to the field of furniture and more specifically folding furniture which may be collapsed or folded for easier storage and/or transportation when not in use. The invention is particularly, although not exclusively, suited for use with functional furniture items used in educational and corporate environments, such as desks, benches and tables.

Background of the Invention

Folding furniture which can be collapsed or folded into a smaller size for transportation and/or storage is known. Such furniture is particularly advantageous in facilities which have multiple use spaces such as in schools and office buildings, where tables, benches and desks may need to be removed from a space when not in use so as to allow other activities to take place in that space. Folding mechanisms have been devised whereby the support legs of the furniture item can be rotated about an axis from a deployed position into a stored position, the latter typically being where the legs are housed within the footprint or internal volume of the furniture item. When in the deployed position the legs are typically locked in place. One example of a locking mechanism employs two elongate locking members which have proximal ends that are rotatably connected to one another, with a degree of overlap between the two ends. The distal end of on of the locking members is rotatably connected to the furniture leg, whilst the distal end of the other of the locking members is rotatably connected to a part of the furniture. A locking ring or the like is slidably mounted upon the locking elements so that when the locking elements are axially aligned the ring can be slid over the overlapping proximal ends of the locking elements such that the elements are held in place, thereby locking the respective furniture leg in the deployed position.

The working or sitting surface of desks, tables and benches of this type are typically formed from a rigid wooden board, which may be provided with a protective coating or layers top and bottom. The board is usually surrounded by aluminium or plastic extrusions which form the longitudinal and lateral edges of the furniture item. In order to mount the legs and locking mechanisms to the furniture assembly personnel must drill holes in these extrusions so that mechanical fixtures such as bolts and screws can be inserted therein. These fixtures often need to be received by threaded inserts which are slid into internal voids of the extrusions. Plastic corner caps are then inserted into the open ends of the extrusions to form the rounded off corners of the furniture item.

This manner of assembly is relatively time-consuming and also requires the holes for the fixtures to be drilled extremely accurately. This can lead to fatigue of the assembly personnel and also a high degree of material wastage if the extrusions are not drilled accurately and have to be discarded.

The need to attach the fixtures to inserts within the extrusions also means that the extrusions have to be larger than is necessary so that the inserts can fit within the internal voids. This not only involves an excess of material being used to form the furniture, but also means that even when folded the furniture takes up more space than is desirable. In addition, if there is a problem with some aspect of the assembly and it needs to be disassembled then this involves removing the corner pieces and taking the inserts out of the extrusions, again adding to the time taken to assemble the furniture.

It is an aim of the present invention to obviate or mitigate one or more of these disadvantages with existing folding furniture.

Summary of the Invention

According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a locating plate for connecting components of an item of folding furniture, the plate comprising:

an elongate body portion having first and second ends; a first raised portion which projects from a first side of the body portion and includes a fixing aperture, the first raised portion defining a recess on a second side of the body portion, wherein in use the recess receives the head of a fixture which extends through the fixing aperture from the second side for attaching a leg locking mechanism ofthe furniture item to the first raised portion;

a substantially circular channel provided in the body portion, wherein the channel circumscribes a central pivot portion, wherein in use the central pivot portion acts as a pivot point for a pair of legs of the furniture item; and a plurality of locating apertures provided in the body which in use receive fixtures for attaching the plate to the item of furniture.

The central pivot portion may be substantially cylindrical and project from the first side of the body portion.

The plurality of locating apertures may comprise a first group of apertures adjacent the first end of the body portion, and a second group of apertures adjacent the second end of the body portion.

The body portion has a longitudinal axis and the first end of the body portion may be substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.

According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a locking mechanism for an item of folding furniture, the mechanism comprising:

the locating plate according to the first aspect of the invention; a first elongate locking member having a first proximal end and a first distal end, the first distal end being connectable to a leg ofthe furniture item;

a second elongate locking member having a second proximal end and a second distal end, the second distal end being connectable to the first raised portion of the plate;

wherein the proximal ends of the first and second locking members are rotatably connected to one another such that parts of the proximal ends overlap one another; and wherein the mechanism further comprises a locking element slidably mounted upon the locking members such that it may slide over the overlapping parts of the proximal ends to prevent relative rotation of the locking members.

The second locking member may comprise first and second portions which are axially offset from one another, with an S-shaped intermediate portion connecting the two portions together.

According to a third aspect of the invention there is provided an item of folding furniture, comprising:

a working or support surface having first and second pairs of edges, the edges between them defining four corners of the surface;

first and second pairs of edge elements, each edge element having first and second ends and covering a corresponding one of the first and second pairs of edges;

at least first and second pairs of locating plates according to the first aspect of the invention, a first pair of locating plates attached to the first ends of the first pair of edge elements such that the first ends of the plate body portions abut one of the second pair of edge elements, and a second pair of locating plates attached to the second ends of the first pair of edge elements such that the first ends of the plate body portions abut the other of the second pair of edge elements;

at least two pairs of folding legs, a first pair of folding legs attached to one another by a first connecting member, the first connecting member rotatably mounted upon the central pivot portions of the first pair of locating plates, and a second pair of folding legs attached to one another by a second connecting member, the second connecting member rotatably mounted upon the central pivot portions of the second pair of locating plates; and wherein each pair of legs comprises a locking mechanism for locking the legs in a deployed state.

The locking mechanism may comprise:

a first elongate locking member having a first proximal end and a first distal end, the first distal end being rotatably connected to one of the first pair of legs;

a second elongate locking member having a second proximal end and a second distal end, the second distal end being connected to the first raised portion of one of the first pair of locating plates;

wherein the proximal ends of the first and second locking members are rotatably connected to one another such that parts of the proximal ends overlap one another; and wherein the mechanism further comprises a first locking element slidably mounted upon the first and second locking members such that it may slide over the overlapping parts of the proximal ends to prevent relative rotation of the locking members.

The locking mechanism may further comprise:

a third elongate locking member having a third proximal end and a third distal end, the third distal end being rotatably connected to the other of the first pair of legs;

a fourth elongate locking member having a fourth proximal end and a fourth distal end, the fourth distal end being connected to the first raised portion of the other of the first pair of locating plates;

wherein the proximal ends of the third and fourth locking members are rotatably connected to one another such that parts of the proximal ends overlap one another; and wherein the mechanism further comprises a second locking element slidably mounted upon the third and fourth locking members such that it may slide over the overlapping parts of the proximal ends to prevent relative rotation of the locking members.

According to a fourth aspect of the invention there is provided an item of folding furniture comprising a locating plate according to the first aspect of the invention.

According to a fifth aspect of the invention there is provided an item of folding furniture comprising a locking mechanism according to the second aspect of the invention.

Brief Description of the Drawings

A preferred embodiment of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the following drawings:

Figure 1 is a plan view of a locating plate for a folding mechanism of an item of furniture;

Figure 2 is a perspective view of one end of an item of furniture having a folding mechanism which includes the locating plate of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a sectional view of an extrusion which is used to form the lateral and longitudinal edges of the item of furniture; and

Figures 4(a)-4(d) are top, bottom, side and perspective views, respectively of a corner element used to form the corners of the item of furniture.

Detailed Description of the Drawings

Figure 1 shows a locating plate, generally designated 1, for use in a folding mechanism of an item of folding furniture. The plate is preferably formed from moulded plastics but may alternatively be formed from metal or another suitable material. The plate comprises an elongate body 2 having first and second ends 4,6. The first end 4 is squared off such that it is substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the body 2. The second end 6 is curved, but it too may be squared off in the same manner as the first end 4. Alternatively, both ends 4,6 may be curved.

A first group of locating apertures 8 is provided in the plate adjacent the first end 4, whilst a second group of locating apertures 10 is provided adjacent the second end 6. There may alternatively be a single locating aperture 8,10 but the group of apertures provides more options as regards fixing the plate 1 to the furniture. Additional locating apertures 12,14 may also be provided at spaced apart locations intermediate the first and second ends 4,6 of the body 2.

Adjacent the first end 4 is a circular channel 16 formed in the surface of the plate 1. The channel 16 may be open at the longitudinal edges of the body 2, as shown in Figure 1. The circle or cylinder 17 defined by the channel acts as a central pivot portion and has a centre C. The central pivot portion may protrude or project above the surface of the remainder of the plate 1. Adjacent the second end 6 is a raised portion 18 whose upper surface 20 is higher than that of the remainder of the body 2. In the centre of the raised portion is a fixing aperture 22. There is a fixed distance D between the point C in the centre of the channel 16 and the centre of the fixing aperture 22.

Figure 2 shows an example of how the locating plate 1 may be used in practice. The example shown here is a folding table, but the plate and associated folding mechanism may also be applied to other furniture items such as benches and desks, for example. Only one end of the table is shown in Figure 2, but it should be understood that although it is not shown an identical folding mechanism is provided at the other end of the table.

The table 30 comprises a rigid working or support surface 32, a pair of lateral edge extrusions 34 and a pair of longitudinal edge extrusions 36. The extrusions 34,36 have channels which receive and cover the edges of the surface 32, and are preferably formed from aluminium but may alternatively be formed from a plastics material, or indeed another suitable metal. Corner pieces 38 fit into the ends of the edge extrusions 34,36 so as to form rounded corners between each extrusion. The corner pieces 38 may be moulded plastic or else may also be formed from aluminium or another suitable metal.

Four locating plates 1 are attached to the longitudinal edge extrusions 36 at each corner of the table. The plates 1 are each positioned such that the squared off, or flat, end 4 of each plate abuts against the inside surface of the lateral edge extrusions in the corner where the extrusions 34,36 are connected to one another by the corner pieces 38. Each plate is attached to its respective longitudinal edge extrusion 36 by a number of fixing screws 70 via the locating apertures 8,10,12,14 in the plate body 2.

The folding and locking mechanism for the table is the same at either end, and comprises a pair of legs 40 which are connected to one another by a cylindrical pivot member 42 which extends substantially perpendicularly to the legs. The legs 40 and pivot member 42 may be integrally formed, or else may be connected to one another by welding or by way of mechanical fixtures. Each leg 40 has a locking mechanism comprising two elongate locking members 50,56. Alternatively, a single locking mechanism may be provided for each pair of legs.

Each of the locking members 50,56 has a proximal end 52,58 which is rotatably connected to the proximal end of the other member, with a degree of axial overlap between the two proximal ends. A distal end 54 of the first locking member 50 is rotatably connected to the table leg 40, whilst a distal end 60 of the second locking member 56 is rotatably connected to the raised portion 18 of the plate via a threaded bolt 80 and nut 82. The head of the bolt 80 is located in a recess on the reverse of the plate 1 such that it cannot rotate, the recess defined by the raised portion 18.

The second locking member 56 is divided into two portions which are offset from one another so as to define a “S”-shaped bend 62 in the middle section of the second locking member 56. A locking ring 90 or the like is slidably mounted upon the locking members 50,56 so that when the locking elements are axially aligned as in Figure 2 the ring 90 can be slid over the overlapping proximal ends 52,58 of the members 50,56 such that the elements are locked in place. This locks the respective furniture leg 40 in the deployed position.

The cylindrical pivot member 42 for each pair of legs 40 is hollow and each end of the pivot member is open. The circular channel 16 of the locating plate 1 is dimensioned such that an end of the pivot member 42 can be received in the channel 16. Thus, the central section of the plate which is radially inward of the channel 16, and has the centre C, acts as a pivot point for the pivot member 42 and legs 40 attached thereto. The ends of the pivot member 42 are attached to the plate via the channels with a “snap fit”, but once attached are held axially but able to rotate freely relative to the plates 1 and the remainder of the table.

Figure 3 shows a sectional view through an extrusion used for the edges of the exemplary table. The extrusion profile is the same whether it is a lateral or longitudinal edge extrusion. The extrusion has a hollow body 100, in which a curved outer wall 102 and a substantially flat inner wall 104 define a void 106 between them. The outer surface 103 of the outer wall 102 may be ribbed or corrugated. The outer surface 105 of the inner wall has a plurality of grooves 107 which extend longitudinally along the length of the extrusion. These grooves 107 make it easier to drill and locate fixtures at the correct location on the extrusion. An upper flange 108 extends outwards from the top of the extrusion in a direction substantially perpendicular to the inner wall 104. A lower flange 110 extends outwards from the inner wall 104 in the same substantially perpendicular direction, but at a lower position on the inner wall when compared to the upper flange 108. Hence, between them the two flanges 108,110 define a channel 112 which in use will receive an edge of the working or support surface 32 of the table. Because the fixing arrangement for the legs and locking members does not require any threaded inserts to be located within the void 106, the extrusions can be both thinner and less deep than existing extrusions used in such applications.

Figures 4(a)-4(d) show various views of a corner piece, or element, 200 used to form the corners of the item of furniture. The corner piece has a corner body 202 having a first end 204 and a second end 206, and an outer surface 208 extending from the first end 204 to the second end 206. The outer surface 208 is curved such that a first portion 208A of the outer surface at the first end 204 is substantially perpendicular to a second portion 208B of the outer surface at the second end 206. An inner surface 210 of the body 202 curves in the same manner such that a first portion 210A of the inner surface at the first end 204 is substantially perpendicular to a second portion 210B of the inner surface at the second end 206.

First and second projecting members 212,214 extend longitudinally from the respective first and second ends 204,206 of the corner body 202, whereby the projecting members 212,214 are also substantially perpendicular to one another. The projecting members 212,214 each have a profile which is substantially the same as that of the void 106 in the edge extrusions 34,36, such that the projecting members 212,214 can be located in use within the voids 106.

An upper corner flange 218 extends radially inwards from the top of the inner surface 210 of the corner body 202. A lower corner flange 220 also extends radially inwards from the inner surface 210, but at a lower position on the inner surface 210 when compared to the upper corner flange 218. “Radially inwards” means extending towards a virtual point from which the radius of curvature of the inner surface 210 is drawn. Between them the two flanges 218,220 define a channel 222 which in use will receive a corner of the working or support surface 32 of the table.

Industrial Applicability

The manner in which the locating plate of the present invention is used will now be described, with particular reference to the table shown in Figure 2. Again, however, it should be recognised that the plate may be used with other types of collapsible or folding furniture such as desks and benches, for example.

The first step of the assembly is to take the working or support surface 32 and add the lateral and longitudinal edge extrusions 34,36, whereby the edges of the surface 32 are located in the channels 112 in the extrusions. Whether a lateral or longitudinal extrusion 34,36 is applied first, a corner element 200 is then inserted via its projecting member 212,214 into the void 106 in the respective extrusion 34,36, before the next extrusion is applied to another edge of the surface 32 and is slide over the other of the projecting members 212,214 of that corner element 200. The process is repeated in a circumferential direction around the surface 32 until all of the edge extrusions 34,36 and corner elements 200 have been installed.

Locating plates 1 are then brought into position against the inner surface 105 of the inner wall of the longitudinal edge extrusions 36. As discussed above, there will be two plates 1 on each extrusion 36, with the squared off or flat end 4 of each plate 1 abutting against an adjacent lateral edge extrusion 34. Each plate 1 has already had a threaded bolt 80 inserted from the reverse side ofthe plate 1, which is the side of the plate that will lie against the inner wall surface 105 when the plate is attached. In this way, the head of the bolt 80 is located in the recess on the reverse of the plate 1 defined by the raised portion 18, and the remainder of the bolt extends through the fixing aperture 22 towards the centre of table.

The assembly personnel will hold the plate 1 in position, with the plate end 4 abutting against the adjacent lateral edge extrusion 34, whilst they drill fixture holes in the inner wall surface 105 via one or more of the locating apertures 8,10,12,14 in the plate 1. The grooves 107 in the inner wall surface 105 enable easier drilling, and are spaced apart by the same vertical distance as the respective apertures in the first and second groups of locating apertures 8,10. Once the holes are drilled in the inner wall surface 105 the fixing screws 70 can be screwed into place through the locating apertures, thus fixing the plate 1 to the longitudinal edge extrusion 36.

The leg assembly will typically be assembled together prior to installing on the table. The locking mechanism for each leg 40 is formed by connecting the proximal ends 52,58 of the locking members 50,56 together using a bolt 51 and a nut 53 threaded thereon. The distal end 54 of the first locking member 50 is attached to the leg 40 using a similar bolt 55 and threaded nut 57 arrangement.

The ends of the support member 42 are pressed into the channels 16 within the plates 1 either side of the table with a snap fit. Once in position the support member 42 can rotate in the channel 16 relative to the plate 1. The locking ring 90 will be slid along the second locking member 56 before the distal end 60 of that second locking member 56 is connected to the locating plate 1 and longitudinal edge extrusion 36 by way ofthe threaded bolt 80 and nut 82. The raised portion 18 of the plate ensures that when the locking member 56 is attached it does not foul against the plate when the mechanism is folding.

The pairs of legs at either end of the table have slight variations in their axial positions on their respective support members. This means that the pair of legs at one end of the table are offset from the pair of legs at the other end of the table.

Hence, when the pairs of legs are folded against the underside of the working surface of the table they lie alongside one another rather than upon one another.

The present invention allows the depth, or thickness, of the folded furniture to be reduced. For example, the industry norm for this type of folded functional furniture is around 52mm deep, whereas furniture formed using the present invention may be only 40mm deep. This leads to a reduction in material usage for the edge extrusions used in forming the furniture, which may be around 11% by weight of the extrusion material. The reduction in depth of the folded furniture items also means that more of them can be stored or transported in a given volume or space. The amount of material such as cardboard used in the protective packaging for initial transportation can also be reduced as a result.

The present invention significantly reduces the number of components needed for each furniture item, and also provides an ease and accuracy of assembly which is not present in existing furniture arrangements. This leads to not only a reduction in assembly time for each furniture item, but also reduces material wastage previously caused by inaccuracies in the hole-drilling processes in particular. These ease with which leg assemblies can be attached to the remainder of the furniture with the present invention also encourages simple replacement of worn or damaged working surfaces or leg assemblies, as opposed to the entire item being disposed of because it is cheaper to do so than try and fix prior folding furniture proposals. Furthermore, the working/support surfaces, edge extrusions and corner elements can be formed with a given size, and then leg assemblies of varying overall heights can be attached dependent on the requirements for the furniture. For example, benches and tables for a primary school canteen generally need to be closer to the ground than those used in high school or factory canteens. With the present invention, the same working/support surfaces can be used in either application.

As the locating plate ensures that the distance D between the pivot centre C and the fixing aperture 22 is the same with every plate used, this ensures that manufacturing tolerances are reduced to around +/- 0.1mm.

The invention is not limited to the specific locking mechanism shown in the preferred embodiment. Instead of pivotable locking members which are held by a sliding ring, the locking mechanism may instead comprise a ratcheting mechanism provided between the pivot points on the locating plates and the connecting member of each pair of legs, whereby the legs may be locked in the deployed position by way of the ratcheting mechanism.

This and other modifications and improvements may be incorporated without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A locating plate for connecting components of an item of folding furniture, the plate comprising:

an elongate body portion having first and second ends; a first raised portion which projects from a first side of the body portion and includes a fixing aperture, the first raised portion defining a recess on a second side of the body portion, wherein in use the recess receives the head of a fixture which extends through the fixing aperture from the second side for attaching a leg locking mechanism of the furniture item to the first raised portion;

2. The locating plate of claim 1, wherein the central pivot portion is substantially cylindrical and projects from the first side of the body portion.

3. The locating plate of either preceding claim, wherein the plurality of locating apertures comprises a first group of apertures adjacent the first end of the body portion, and a second group of apertures adjacent the second end of the body portion.

4. The locating plate of any preceding claim, wherein the body portion has a longitudinal axis and the first end of the body portion is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.

5. A locking mechanism for an item of folding furniture, the mechanism comprising:

the locating plate of any preceding claim;

a first elongate locking member having a first proximal end and a first distal end, the first distal end being connectable to a leg of the furniture item;

6. The mechanism of claim 5, wherein the second locking member comprises first and second portions which are axially offset from one another, with an Sshaped intermediate portion connecting the two portions together.

7. An item of folding furniture, comprising:

at least first and second pairs of locating plates according to any of claims 1 to 4, a first pair of locating plates attached to the first ends of the first pair of edge elements such that the first ends of the plate body portions abut one of the second pair of edge elements, and a second pair of locating plates attached to the second ends of the first pair of edge elements such that the first ends of the plate body portions abut the other of the second pair of edge elements;

8. The furniture item of claim 7, wherein the locking mechanism comprises:

9. The furniture item of claim 8, wherein the locking mechanism further comprises:

10. An item of folding furniture comprising a locating plate according to any of claims 1 to 4.

11. An item of folding furniture comprising a locking mechanism according to 5 claim 5 or claim 6.

Intellectual

Property

Office

Application No: GB1810584.1 Examiner: Daniel Cox